Door mechanism.



F. S. GALLAGHER.

DOOR MECHANISM.

APPLIGATION FILED JULY 27,1908,

Patented Mar. 2, 1909.

5 SHEETS-SHEET l.

layman W WIT N ESSES V21? P. S. GALLAGHER. noon MBOHANISM.

INVENTOR WITNETS/EZZW P. S. GALLAGHER.

DOOR MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 2 7, 1908.

914 1 35., Pate fited Mar. 2, 1909.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3 FT? A INVENTOR F. S. GALLAGHER DOOR MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 27, 1908.

9 1 4, 1 35 Patented Mar. 2, 1909.

5 SHEETSSHEET 4.

WITNESSES INVENTOR mix, @MM/ P. S. GALLAGHER. DOOR MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED JULY 27, 1908.

91%,}. 35, Patented Mar. 2, 1909. ii SHEETS-SHEET 5.

BNVENTQR oivrrnn scenarios FREDERICK S. GALLAGHER, OF OOIflIINWOOD, OHIO.

noon ivmcmimsivr 'To all whom it may concern:

obiects; the provision of an improved operating mechanism wherein the strain of supporting the doors after closure is carried by means independent of the means employed for closing the doors; the provision of meanslor holding the doors closed of a very rigid and positive character operable from the door closing mechanism; the prov1sion of operating mechanism so constructed thatv heavily load id doors may be opened without danger to the operator; and the provision of a simple and ell'cctivc mechanism Whereby the doors may be cainmed tightly into closed position and easily released from such position. Certain embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figures '1, f5, Sand are longitudinal sec tions intermediate the doors, showing the doors and operating parts in various positions, I

liigure is a plan view of the doors and operating mechanism,

Figure 5 is a transverse section on the line v 1. V l of Figure 1,

of l 1g. l,

Figure s is an end view of the holding means for the operating shaft,

l iguros S), 11) and 11 are longitudinal sections intermediate the doors, showing a modified construction in various positions,

Figure 12 is a section on the line XIIXII of Figure 5), and

Figure 13 is a plan View of the central portion of the operating mechanism.

Figures 1 to 8 inclusive illustrate the application of the invention to twin hopper bottom gondola cars, only so much of the car construction being illustrated as is necesto indicate the location of the doors and the operating mechanismtherefor. In this class of cars two sets of dumping doors Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 27,

liig'urc 7 is a section on the line VIIVI Patented March 2, 1909.

1908. Serial No. 445,605.

; 12 (Figure 5) are employed which sets of I doors are located on opposite sides of the l center sills 33, the operating mechanism for both sets of doors being located between the center sills as indicated in Figures 5, 6 and 7. Chamel bars 4 and 5 are secured to the inner or swinging edges of thedoors and extend across from the doors on one side of the car to those on the other side as indicated in Figure 6. To these channel bars the operating mechanism for lifting the doors is secured, the bars 4 and 5 being sufli ciently rigid to insure aproper closure of the doors throughout their entire length. The operating mechanism for the doors is most ures show the doors in a number of different positions. Pivoted to the bolts 5 in the channels 4 and 5 are the links 6 and 7, which links are secured together at.their inner ends by the knuckle joint 8. The link 7 is provided with a projecting strut 9 to which is attached a chain 10 passing, over a pulley 11 and back to the winding drum 12 to which thechain is secured at 13. The winding drum 12 is mounted upon the operating shaft 14 suitably mounted in bearings upon the under side of the car and provided at its outer end with the squared portion 15 and holding ratchet 16 with which the pawl 17 is adapted to coi'iperate. (Figure 8). The pawl 17 is held in position by means of the cam member 18. To the strut 9 on the links 7 is also pivoted the connecting rod 19', pivotally securedat its other end to an arm or lever 20 loosely mounted upon the winding shaft 14. This arm 20 is provided with a projecting lug 21, which is adapted to engage a corresponding lug 22 carried by the winding drum 12. Bolted to the centersills are the holding brackets 23 provided with the curved upper engaging surface as indicated in Figs. 1 to 4. The links 6 and 7 i are adapted to pass between the two brackets 23, and the pivot pin 24 upon which the inner ends of the links turn are provided with the rollers 25 on either side of the links for engaging the upper surface of the brack ets 23 when the doors approach closed position as indicated in Figures 1 and The doors and operating parts whenin closed position occupy the positions shown in Figure 1, at which time the rollers 25 rest -upon the to s of the brackets 23 and any movement of the links 6 and 7 to the left'is guarded against by reason of the rod 19, the

clearly shown in Figures 1 to i, which fig-.

straight when the parts are in the position of Figure 1, and so adds additional security to the holding by the rod. In order to en the doors the winding shaft 14 is turne in the direction of the arrow, thus'unwinding the-chain and providing certain amount position of Figure 3.

of slack therein as indicated in Figure 2. During this movement the rod 19 is not moved as there is no positive connection between the lug 22,carried by the drum .12 and the lug 21 carried by the arm 20. until such lug 22 engages the underside of the lug 21 as indicated in Figure 2. A further movement of the shaft 14 causes the arm 20 to be rotated, thus carrying the rod 19 and the links 6' and 7 to the left. This moves the rollers 25 from the horizontal portion of the brackets 23 and permits the doors to drop to the This drop occurs without any jerk u on the chain by reason of the slack provide by the slip connection between the arm 20 and the winding drum, so that there is no sudden jerk upon the winding shaft 14, and no danger to the operator as a result of a sudden and forcible -move ment f the 'doors. In order to raise the dbors the movement of rotation of the shaft 14 is reversed, and the doors are lifted by the flexible connection 10 to the position indicated in Figure 4. During the first portion of this movement no tension whatever is ut upon the rod 19 as such rod is entirely ee until the drum rotates fromthe position indicated in Figure 3, to one in which the lug 22 on such drum engages the lug 21. By the time the lug 22 positively engages the lug 21 the rollers 25 .are in engagement with the curved surfaces on the brackets 23, and on a still further rotation of the' winding shaft 14 the rollers 25 are drawn along the upper surface of the brackets 23 to the extent shown 'in Figure '1. The upper ends of the links 6 and 7 with their rollers 25 are carried sufficiently tothe .left by reason of the engagement of the ohain with the link 7 at a oint intermediate of its ends. The force plied at, this point tends to straighten out P a t e toggle formedt-b'y the door 2 and link 7 and so causes the inner edges of the doors to be carried laterally to permit the rollers 25 to-pass the ends of the brackets 23. When the doors are in closed position, it will be noted that the pointof support as afforded by the rollers 25 is substantially vertically above the inner edges of the doors, so that the most effective support possible .is afforded. The knuckle-j omt between the links 6 and 7 is advantageous for the reason that when the doors are in open osition as indicated in Figure 3,. the knuc e prevents the inner ends of the. links from moving any further down so that there. is no danger of striking the track underneath the car, andthe doors 1 and 2 are held positivel in their position of widest opening. It wil also be seen that the provision of the cam brackets 23 provides 'a very secure sup ort for the doors and that all the strain of t e support of the doors and their load is removed from the operating mechanism. The center-sills 3 a ord a very advantageous means for sup.- porting the brackets 23, and as a pair of these brackets is used with the links therebetween there is no possibility of the links moving sidewise as might happen if only a single supporting bracket were provided Other advantages incident to the construction will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Figures 9 to. 13 inclusive illustrate the application of the invention to another type of cars, commonly known as'self-cleaning ho per cars. These cars are provided with t 1e single swinging doors 27 as opposed to the double doors of the other construction, but in other respects the car construction is somewhat similar, as two doors on opposite sides of the cars are used, which doors are connected by an I beam 29. moved by means of the operating mechan-' ism located between the center-sills 30 (Figure 12), as in the other form of construction. The door 27 is operated by means of the link 31 connected to the I beam 29 by means of the bolt 32. The upper end of the link 31 is provided with a pair of rollers 33 mounted on opposite sides of the link on the pivot lpin 34, w ich rollers are adapted to engage t e two brackets 35 bolted to the center-sills 30. The link 31 is reciprocated by means of the o crating lever 37 carried by the operating s aft 38. The end of the lever 37 is provided with the slot 39 which engages the pin 40 carried by a projection on the link 31. The operating shaft 38 is carried by suitable bearings in the bottom of the car and is provided at its outer end with the squared portion for the rece tion of a handle and with a pawl and ratchet olding device as in the other form of mechanism. Figure 10 illustrates the position of the parts as the door approaches closed position. A further movement of the arm 37 to the right secures a very tight and positive closure of the door 37 because of the camming action between the brackets 35 and the rollers 33. The slot 39 permits the necessary relative movement between the pin 40 and the lever 37. This lost motion might be secured in other ways, it only being necessary that there be a certain limited freedom of movement between the parts. It will be noted that in this as well as in the other form of construction described, the entire weight of the door is borne by the brackets 35 and that the operating parts are relieved from all This I beam is holding strain. It will also be seen-that a lateral movqment with respect to the line of holding is necessary in order to release the rollers 33 from the brackets 35, so that there is no danger of disengagement of the parts by reason of the strain on the link 31, such strain tending rather to move the holding parts to a more secure position.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is the fol-' a fixed holding member, an operating member secured to the door adapted to opera tively engage the holding means when the door is in closed position, and operating means connected to the operating member adapted on movement in one direction to close the door and secure locking engagement between the holding and operating members and on movement in the reverse direction to disengage the holding and opcrating members from locking engagement and permit the door to open.

3. In combination, agravityo ening door, a cam bracket, an operating lin secured to the door adapted to engage the cam surface of the bracket and lock the door in closed position, and operating means connected to the link adapted on movement in one direction to close the door and secure locking engagement between the bracket and link andon movement in the reverse direction to disengage the link and bracket from looking engagement and permit the door to open.

4. In' combination, a gravity opening door, a pair of opposing holding brackets, an.

operating link secured to the door adapted to pass between the brackets and provided with a T head for engaging the brackets when the door is in closed position, and operating means connected to the linl adapted on movement in one direction to close the door and secure the engagement of the T head with the brackets, and on movement in the reverse direction to disengage the T head from the brackets and permit the door to open.

5. In combination, a gravity opening door, a pair of opposing holding brackets, an 0 erating link secured to the door adapte to pass between the brackets and provided with and locking the door in closed position, and operating means connected to the link and adapted to close the door and move the rollers to locking position and to disengage the theT head with the brackets, and on the move- I ment in the'reverse direction to disengage the T head from the brackets and permit the door'to open.

7. In combination, a gravity opening door, a flexible connection and operating means therefor for closing the door, a hold ing bracket,a link secured to the'door and provided with means for engaging the bracket when the door is in closed position, and a connection operable by the operating means for disengaging the link' from the holding bracket to permit the door to open.

8. In combination, a gravity opening door, a flexible connection and operating means therefor for closing the door, a holding bracket, a link secured to the door and provided with means for engaging the bracket when the door is in closed position, and means having lost motion connection with the operating means. for disengaging the link from the holding bracket to permit the door to open.

9. In combination, a gravity opening door, a flexible connection and operating means therefor for closing the door, a holding bracket, a link secured to the door and provided with means. ,for engaging the bracket when the door is in closed position, and link having lost motion connection with the op rating means for disengaging the link from the holding bracket to permit the door to open.

10, In combination, a gravity opening door, a holding bracket, an operating link for the door adapted to engage the bracket when the door is closed, an operating shaft, a flexible connection from the operating shaft to the link, and a connection operable from the operating shaft for disengaging the link from the bracket to permit the door to open.

11. In combination, a gravity opening door, a flexible connection and operating means therefor for closing the door, a holding bracket, a link secured to the door and rovided with means for engaging the bracket when the door is in closed position, a connection operable by the operating a roller on each side for engaging the brackets vmeans for giving the link its final movement engagment with the bracket and for dise'n-' gaging the-link from the bracket to permit the door to open.

13. In combination, a gravity opening door, a holding bracket, an o erating llnk for the door adapted to engage t e bracket when the door is closed, an operating shaft, a

flexible connection from the operating shaft to the link for closing the door, and a link' operable from the operating shaft and having lost motion connection therewith for giving the link its final movement to locking engagement with the bracket and for disengaging the link from the bracket to permit the door to open.

14. In combination, a pair of opposing swinging gravity 0 ening doors, a pair of links ivoted toget er and to the doors, a fixed iiolding member above the doors, and means for swinging the doors to closed osition and engaging the links with the ed holdin member.

15. n combination, a pair of opposing swinging gravity opening doors, a pair of links pivoted at their outer ends to the doors from the bracket.

16. In combination, a pair of opposingswinging gravity 0 ening doors, a pair of' and at their inner ends to each other and provided at such inner ends with engaging means, a fixed bracket above the doors, operating means including a flexible connection for'lifting the doors and engaging the engaging means on the'links with the bracket, and a link operable from the operating means for disengaging the said engaging means links ivoted toget er and to the doors, a fixed holding-member above the doors, and operating means adapted on movement in one direction to close the doors and engage the links with the fixed holding member, and

on movement in the reverse direction to disengage the links from' the holding member and permit the doors to open.

17. In combination, a pair of opposing swinging gravity 0 ening doors, a pair of links pivoted toget er and to the doors, a

center line of the doors, and means adapted to close the doors and simultaneously'swing the upper ends of the links laterally so asto pass t e bracket and then. swing them 1n reverse direction to bring the u per ends to locking position in substantial alinement with the center line of the doors.

18. In combination, a pair of opposing swinging gravity 0 ening doors, a pair of links ivoted toget er and to the doors, a fixed fibl'cling'bracket having its up er holding surface extending transversely a ove the center line of the doors, an 0 erating shaft, a pulley adjacent the brac et, a flexible operating member from the operating shaft extending over the pulley and engaging one of the links intermediate its ends and so arranged that in, the first portion of their move ment the upper ends of the links are swung laterally to pass the bracket and later are swung reversely to bring their upper .ends to locking position substantially over the center line of the doors, and means operated from the operating shaft for disengaging the links from the bracket.

19. In combination, a pair ofopposing swinging gravity opening doors, a pair of links ivoted at their outer ends to the swinging e ges of the doors and secured together at their inner ends with a knuckle joint, a fixed holding member :above the doors, and means for swinging the doors to closed osition and en aging the inner ends of the inks with the hoIding member.

20. In combination, a gravity opening door, an operating shaft, a flexible connection extending therefrom to the door, an o erating lever having a sli connection with .t e operating shaft, a fixe holding bracket,

9. link pivoted to the door and rovided with means for engaging the brac et when the door is in closed position, and a connecting rod between the operating lever and the link for moving the said means into and out of engagement with the bracket, the said rod being bent so that when the link is in locked position the bent ortion of the rod lies adjacent the operating shaft. Y Y

In testimony whereof I have hereunto siglpedmy name in the presence of thetwo su scribed witnesses.

FREDERICK s. GALLAGHER. 

